Soz's report likely tomorrow, Medha, others continue fast

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) A three-member ministerial team that visited Narmada Valley to ascertain the Narmada Bachao Andolan's contention that the height of Sardar Sarovar dam is being increased without full rehabilitation of the dam-displaced people is likely to submit its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow, official sources said.

The team, which returned here yesterday after its whistlestop tour of four rehabilitation sites and two villages to be submerged by the dam, was finalising its report and was expected to submit it to the Prime Minister tomorrow evening, the sources said.

Union Ministers Saifuddin Soz, Meira Kumar and Prithviraj Chavan had visited the affected region in Madhya Pradesh on Friday following a public outcry over the treatment meted out to NBA leaders Medha Patkar, Jamsingh Nargave and others on fast to protest the Government move to raise the dam's height in violation of the law that the project-affected be rehabilitated first.

Ms Patkar and Mr Nargave observed hunger strike for the 12th day today at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where they were forcibly shifted by police on the night of April 5.

Other NBA activists and individuals from supporting organisations, meanwhile, remained on protest dharna for the 24th day here.

The NBA received a statement from the organisation ''Films for Freedom'' signed by 212 artistes today. Reports of solidarity fasts and actions were received from various parts of the country as well, NBA activists said.

They said a letter of support from the President of the Right Livelihood Award was also sent to the Prime Minister's office.

''The Narmada Valley is seething with discontent. The false claims of rehabilitation on paper are clearly exposed when you see the ground reality,'' said former Central SC/ST Commissioner B D Sharma on his return from the affected region.

The NBA says it will not withdraw its agitation unless the Government stops further construction on the dam till the rehabilitation issue is settled.

UNI VN MSJ DB10